Thresher Sharks. Every Day. Year-round

Malapascua Island is the only place on the planet where you can reliably dive with pelagic thresher sharks every single morning. They visit Kimud Shoal at sunrise to be cleaned by smaller fish. We take you there early morning for a 2- or 3-dive trip. You're back in time for lunch.

We've been running these dives since 2004. We've watched divers see their first thresher, become divemasters, and come back ten years later with their kids. We know the shoal, the currents, the seasons, and the shy fish that pretend they don't see you.

What we do

Sunset on Malapascua Thresher Shark Divers

Malapascua: Common questions

  • Do I need to be certified? Yes. Thresher dives are at 12-24m. We can train you here from scratch.
  • Are they dangerous? No. Pelagic threshers are shy and docile.
  • Where exactly? Kimud Shoal, a seamount 60 minutes by banca off Malapascua. Sharks moved here from Monad Shoal in 2022.
  • Will I definitely see them? Yes, unless you are extremely unlucky. We are so sure you will see them, we offer a unique Thresher Shark Guarantee.

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    FAQs here. Feel free to browse and contact us with any questions.

    Or visit our main website for Thresher Shark Divers.
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Planning a dive trip to Malapascua? Check out our helpful FAQs

When is the best time to dive with thresher sharks in the Philippines?

The thresher sharks are at Kimud Shoal every day of the year, and we dive every day, weather permitting. March to June is the dry season with the calmest seas. November to February is cooler with occasional north winds. July to October is the wet season, with brief afternoon rain rather than full storms. Cebu averages roughly one typhoon a year. We lose very few diving days to weather. Find out more on our main website about when to come to Malapascua, and in this blog entry.

Do I need to be certified or Advanced Open Water to dive with thresher sharks?

Yes, you need to be certified to dive at Kimud with the thresher sharks, but you can do your PADI Open Water Course with us in only three days. Open Water divers can go with an instructor, and Advanced Open Water Divers can go with a Divemaster. Find out more about our unique thresher shark dive.

How do I get to Malapascua?

Fly to Cebu (CEB) → 4hr van north to Maya port → 30min boat to Malapascua. We can arrange private transportation from Cebu airport.

Are thresher sharks dangerous?

No, not at all. In fact we have to be careful to move slowly so as not to scare them away. There has never been a recorded case of a thresher shark attacking a human. These cuties stick to eating small fish and will swim away fast if you so much as blow bubbles in their direction.

How early do dives leave?

This used to be a very early morning dive, but in recent years the behaviour of thresher sharks has changed. We have spent a lot of time trialing at different times, and have found that diving at any time during the morning we get excellent shark sightings. Our two-dive trips usually leave any time between 5 am and 8 am.

Is there anything else to see except thresher sharks?

Yes! Absolutely! In fact, the reason Andrea, the owner of Thresher Shark Divers, decided to stay on Malapascua in 2003 after what was supposed to be a two-day visit was the incredible diversity of marine life. With dive sites stretching out in every direction, there are myriad influences, and each site offers something different. As we say, "Malapascua dive sites have it all!" Find out more about the marine life and dive sites of Malapascua.

What is the water temperature?

Water sits between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius from March to December, and 24 to 26 degrees in January and February. A 3mm wetsuit is comfortable most of the year, but you may need a little extra for Jan-Feb.

What is the difference between Monad Shoal and Kimud Shoal?

The thresher sharks always used to be seen at Monad Shoal. They were only there early morning until about 7am. In 2022, the thresher sharks moved from Monad Shoal to Kimud Shoal, and now sightings are the best they have been in our 20+ years here! Thresher sharks are as good as guaranteed; they come closer, are more shallow and are around all morning, so no more 4am wakeup calls!

What other sharks can I see on Malapascua Island?

It's a bold claim, but we think Malapascua is the shark capital of the Philippines. As well as guaranteed thresher sharks, we have virtually guaranteed whitetip and blacktip sharks, a reasonable chance of tiger sharks, bamboo and coral cat sharks, and, if you are very lucky, a hammerhead, a grey or a bull shark! Find out more about the sharks of Malapascua